5 Things I’ve Learned During a Year of Injury

July 14, 2017

Over the past year there have been many ups and downs related to my running and my injury. There have been times when I was very hopeful. Other times I wanted to completely give up. I’ve had to learn to let go of running a bit, and as hard as that has been it was an important lesson for me.

There are a few other things I’ve learned while dealing with this injury. I think it’s important to reflect on the things we learn during hard times, because that’s usually when we grow the most. It’s never easy to see when you’re caught up in it all and feel like you will never come out the other side.

It’s important to note that I still don’t feel like I am fully out of the woods with this yet. I do think I have learned to accept where I am right now (maybe not fully, but much more than before). For most of the past year I would push to increase my mileage as soon as I felt better. Now I am content running a few days a week, 3-5 miles or so.

Here are some of the lessons I have learned this past year:

1. Don’t settle for feeling just “okay”

This was something my Rolfer pointed out to me last week, and it stuck with me. I had been feeling pretty good (but knowing that it could change at any moment) and we talked about if I should continue coming in. She recommended that I at least keep seeing my chiropractor (they work in the same office) and could keep up my sessions with her if I wanted. She reminded me that just because I feel better, but was still pointing out some tight spots, areas that bothered me, etc. and I shouldn’t just accept that. I’m still young (although I feel like I have the body of an 80 year old) and shouldn’t settle for feeling just ok.

I feel like whenever I am in PT I never get fully better but they don’t know what else to do with me so I get discharged. It’s nice to have practitioners who want to continue helping as long as I need it.

2. There may not be one right answer

Over the past year I have seen a chiropractor, Rolfer, 3 PTs (in the same office), a podiatrist, and an orthopedist. Everyone came at my issues from a slightly different angle. I had my Rolfer telling me to walk around barefoot and wear flat shoes. The podiatrist recommended orthotics. The orthopedist wanted me sleeping in a boot. I’m pretty sure my chiropractor thought it was all in my head (just kidding). In PT we focused on my hips because they are the root of all evil when it comes to running injuries. When I told that to my podiatrist he looked at me like I had two heads, because according to him feet are always the problem.

See what I mean? I wonder what would happen if I put all these people in a room together…

3. You can do everything “right” and still not see the results you want

I will be the first to admit that I have made many mistakes over the past year. However, I’ve decided that I can’t blame myself for this. Our bodies are pretty complicated and it’s not like I did anything overly stupid to put myself in this situation. I think that this injury has taken on a life of its own and it’s no longer something simple. At this point, it really could just be all in my head.

4. It’s hard to have a running blog when you’re not really running

Honestly I’m pretty surprised I’ve been able to keep blogging through all of this. Some weeks I wonder what I could possibly come up with to write about. It’s hard to find a balance between being honest about what is going on while also trying to stay positive. No one wants to read about someone who is always complaining. It means so much that so many of you have stuck with me through all of this, so in a way having a blog is really helpful. Having all this support gives me hope and also keeps me accountable for how I’m handling it all.

5. Running is the best

Any of the other workouts I have tried just don’t compare to running. I’m happy to strength train because I know it will help my running and it make me feel strong. Each time I’ve stopped running I don’t feel like myself. Running is the best.

No one wants to go through situations that are challenging, but when we do we might as well try to learn from them. If nothing else, I don’t think I will ever take running for granted after going through this.

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Comments

I’m always happy to read your blog, if it’s about running or not! so don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere lol. I hope that it only continues to get better for you and that you can get back to a running routine that works for you mentally and physically on a regular basis! challenging times stink but they do make us stronger and give us those lessons we need. sounds so corny but it’s true.meredith @ cookie chrunicles recently posted…Bachelorette Life, Dylan’s Candy Bar & City Fun (TOL)

These are all great lessons. When I’ve been sidelined I’ve tried to make the most of it by focusing on other things but running is the best so the goal is to get back to it asap without overdoing it and causing a setback. Interesting on the different views of all the professionals! I’ve heard core and glutea are the cause of many issues. And tight calves.

All of this! I dealt with my injury from August until April when I finally got in to see my current doctor. I had 3 docs tell me it was nothing, one tell me it was PF and put me in orthotics. Come to find out, it was my peroneal tendon (which we knew had tendonitis) that had developed split tears. Talk about frustrating. The time and money (and orthotics in the trash) I have spent is unreal. My injury taught me that I need to just accept what my body can give. It taught me that I do really love my other sports and now that I am healthy, I need to make sure I don’t neglect my cycling and swimming. It taught me that I need to quit relying on NSAIDS like I was…during my regeneration therapy I couldn’t take them at all and now I continue not to take them. I think I was relying on them too much, probably masking some of my pain and not giving myself a chance to heal. And like you, it taught me that even when you are doing everything right, things can still go wrong. I hope you are finally on the right path with your healing!

I always think its interesting when I go to a dr. for a running related injury and they want to know if Ive taken NSAIDs, and then suggest I do. I can be so easy to rely too much on them and mask the injury. For this injury its never been like Im in excruciating pain, so I havent had to take them. If running hurt, I didnt run, which I think helped it from getting really bad. It makes me want to cry to think of all the money Ive spent this year on appointments and treatment. I feel like if I had to go back and do it over I probably would have done some things differently, but hindsight is 20/20 right?

Gosh, there are parts of this that I could have written! The biggest thing I have learned the past month (because the surgery two weeks ago only cured the “problem” and created a new challenge as a result #recovery) is not to take any run for granted. I think I did that before, but that sentiment has really been magnified by the fact that I’ll be sidelined for most of the summer (my favorite season, none the less)…and when I get the green light to run again, I will definitely have an even bigger appreciation for every run. I have had SO MUCH encouragement and support from fellow runners (and bloggers), though. Knowing you have an arsenal of cheerleaders is pretty amazing 😉Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Flashbacks and FOMO

Being injured really does help you to appreciate every single run. It is great to have such a strong support system of people who can understand how hard it is to not be able to do the thing that we love!

I’ve spent more than my fair share of time on the sidelines! I’ve certainly learned a lot of lessons too. I guess the one thing that no one talks about is that medicine isn’t an exact science–that sometimes we don’t get answers. That’s the hardest thing of all.Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…5 Random Tales from the Road

I think for runners that is really hard to accept and understand. Through all of this I kind of wanted a doctor to say “take x amount of weeks off running, then we will check in and see how you’re doing”. Since my situation was never very clear, they always trusted me to run when I felt ok. And of course the discomfort would come and go so much I was never able to figure out a clear pattern or progress the way I would have liked.

WOW Lisa, I enjoy all your blog posts but sometimes you really knock it out of the park. I too wonder how doctors can have such a wide range of opinion on what’s wrong. I had two differentborthopedists give me a knee diagnosis. One told me I had arthritis, one told me I had the knees of a 20 yr old. Same mri wtf!!!??? I asked the second Dr how that could Be- such differing opinions, by he was hesitant to throw the first guy under the bus.Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…Friday 5 – Vacation Excitement!

Thats really unbelievable! I often wonder if I had gotten a second option about my hip if I would have ended up having surgery, but I try not to think about it because its not like I can change anything now. Even listening to podcasts about running injuries I feel like so many experts differ with how they approach injuries. Now I feel like I need to do some of my own research so that it can help me decide whether or not I trust what a doctor is telling me. I used to just pick a doctor, and accept whatever diagnosis and instructions I was given.

I agree with all of these. I remember when I had a stress fracture I felt like I “shouldn’t be having a running blog” but so many people are injured runners and they enjoy reading your experience as well. You can do everything right and not get the results you want. Good lessonsDeborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Summer Hair & Skin Care Tips for Athletes

One fo the biggest lessons I have had from my big injury and then from my IVF stuff is that I can live without running, but I can NOT live without being active. But as much as I can live without running, I am with you–there is nothing like getting back out there.Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Currently… Giveaway! (Baking, Drinking, Eating, Reading, Wearing)

I totally understand this post! Yes, over the years throughout my injuries, I’ve always gotten different answers, reasons, diagnosis and rehab solutions from different professionals. I basically came to the conclusion that I obviously just don’t have the best biomechanics for running and will always have some sort of issues if I push the running issue. While I fell in love with running years ago, it doesn’t love me nearly as much 🙂 So, I’ve learned to run when I can and find joy and satisfaction in other activities as well. But, that’s easier for me …..since I’ve reached that golden age of 50, I’m just thankful to be moving in any capacity! lolTeresa recently posted…Cycling 101: What You DON’T Need

I definitely think my biomechanics play a part in all this but I just hope to be able to figure out a way to either get stronger/improve my form or get additional support like orthotics that will allow me to run, maybe not as much as I used to but enough where I can at least train for some races again!

I definitely understand about not running and having a running blog. Injuries can be incredibly persistent, so it’s a good thing I’m stubborn. It’s taken a lot longer than I thought with my injury, but I keep making progress. It can be frustrating, but as long as I keep making progress, I have something to be happy about.

I wish I could give you a big squishy hug right now. I’m in awe of how well you have handled this past year, and even though it’s been a giant pain in the ass, I have a hunch that it’s made you into an even better, stronger runner. You have really helped me keep a healthy perspective on my OWN running. I’m not allowed to run right now, and you’re one of the biggest influences on me to keep my head on straight, to keep perspective and to look forward at the big picture.Suzy recently posted…A Pregnant Pause

It’s definitely been a tough year, and what I actually say on the blog is a little more filtered than what initially comes into my head when things are not going well. I do think its helped me to see that I can live without running- I don’t want to, but I can. Before all this I used to make sure I could run before a big day, like if I had a presentation at work I HAD to run that morning or I felt like I wouldn’t be able to get through it. Well this year I have presented dozens of times without running that morning, and I survived. I just try to keep looking at the big picture, and how years down the road I want to still be running. It’s always hard to think outside of the present moment with stuff like this though.

I’m totally at #3 right now! It can definitely be frustrating, but I try to stay positive. Like you mentioned in #2, there may not be one “right” answer. I’m going to start modifying moves in my strength training classes to take the pressure off my knees and hope that helps. Between making that adjustment and keeping up with my PT exercises, I’m hoping for a good outcome.Kimberly G recently posted…Chicago Marathon Training Recap – Week 8

That sounds like a great plan! I hope things start to improve with your knees!

Hi! I'm Lisa- a distance runner, blogger, and running coach. Welcome to Mile by Mile, where I talk about running, fitness, food, life, and everything in between. I hope you will stick around for a few miles, or more!Read more...

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